Surf Expo increases first-time exhibitors

Jan 22, 2014

Surf Expo, the longest running and largest boardsports and beach/resort lifestyle tradeshow in the world, brought in robust attendance from 47 U.S. states and 49 countries at the show in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 9-11.
“With more exhibitor booths, and more first-time buyers and stores in attendance, the result was a vibrant marketplace. We always strive to bring together a quality mix of exhibitors and buyers-and the feedback confirms that we achieved this goal. We are pleased that we continue to be a show known for generating business,” said Roy Turner, show director, Surf Expo.

Revealed through attendee feedback was the show’s success.

“We wrote paper for SUPs, surfboards, fins, bodyboards, skimboards, plus all kinds of accessories. Our girls were booked with clothing, footwear, sunglass and swimwear appointments all 3 days, picking up some new lines. We even picked 4-5 new lines on the resort side,” said Kim Ball, owner, Hi-Tech Surf Sports.

The number of new attendees increased 6 percent from the January 2013 show with 230 first-time exhibitors.

“We accomplished all objectives and then some, so the show was a smashing success from our perspective,” said first time-exhibitor Clayton Pequignot, owner, Waveflo.

Attendees were pleased to purchase elusive clothing lines from the show.

“The show was great and I found quite a few new gift and juniors clothing lines and left paper with them all. I’m excited to get some lines that are not the usual things one would see in Santa Barbara,” said Kim Lipp, buyer, Surf N Wear’s Beach House Calif.

Incentives to attend the show included opportunities to maintain current business relationships as well as gain new exposure.

“As a startup, Surf Expo is a great place to be to do business with people you already do business with and to get exposure to a whole new segment,” said Eli Marmar, founding partner, Freewaters Footwear.

Over a quarter million square feet of exhibit space was featured during the show. Occupying that diverse space was a packed SUP Demo Pool, SUP Yoga Mat, Skate Park and runway fashion shows.

“I think one of the biggest benefits of Surf Expo is that everyone is here to do business,” said Shawn Swanson, director of sales, Wellen.